Join us on the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as host Roy Kessel speaks with League of Angels founder Tanner Kim. In this third episode of the podcast’s seventh season, Kim talks about his transition from playing college baseball to founding the League of Angels to give back to the sport he loves. Kim speaks about the fresh beginnings of the League of Angels and the plans he has as it continues to grow.

Kim was a multi-sport athlete growing up; he played soccer, hockey, football, basketball, and baseball. However, baseball, which he began playing at four years old, became his main sport, and he was eventually recruited to play for the University of Kentucky when he was in high school. After two seasons with Kentucky, Kim retired from playing baseball, returned home to Knoxville, Tennessee, and enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management. Shortly after enrolling at the University of Tennessee, Kim returned to baseball, but not as a player–he returned to create the League of Angels as a way to give back to the baseball community.

League of Angels

The League of Angels was created as a 501(c)3 to impact individuals across the United States by using a common love for the sport of baseball. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, the League of Angels provides an inclusive opportunity and safe environment for individuals with special needs to enjoy the sport of baseball. The League of Angels is determined to create a league with nationwide awareness and to partner with college and professional teams, believing in their slogan “Baseb4ll”: baseball for all. 

0:52 – How Kim got his passion for sports

2:09 – Earliest sports memories

4:18 – Kim as a multi-sport athlete growing up

8:13 – Baseball becoming Kim’s No. 1 sport

9:15 – “Baseball looks like a pyramid”

11:19 – Playing college baseball

12:34 – The inspiration for the League of Angels

15:39 – Starting the League of Angels and creating new connections

17:59 – Detailed timeline of the League of Angels

20:20 – The future of the League of Angels

22:12 – If Kim was the commissioner of the MLB

Tanner Kim's Social Media

League of Angels' Social Media